Supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) could postpone the onset of metabolic disorders and associated declines in cognitive functioning, according to new research.

The study – published in Nutrition Journal – evaluated the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on cognitive performance measures in order to better evaluate a possible relationship between cognitive functions and cardio-metabolic risk parameters.

Led by Professor Inger Björck of Lund University, Sweden, the research team gave 40 healthy participants aged between 15 and 72 a daily supplement containing three grams of omega-3 PUFA fish oil or a placebo for five weeks before testing cognitive functions and metabolic risk markers such as blood pressure, serum triglycerides, and fasting glucose measures.

“Daily intake of omega-3 PUFA from fish oil during five weeks significantly improved cognitive functions (working memory capacity) in healthy subjects,” said Björck and her colleagues.

The researchers said such a relationship between outcomes in cognitive tests and metabolic risk factors also highlights the importance of early dietary prevention to prevent cognitive declines that are associated with metabolic disorders.

Study details

Björck and her team noted that higher plasma levels of omega-3 fatty acids have been suggested to be associated with a lower risk of age related cognitive decline, and to beneficially affect metabolic risk factors.

The team therefore aimed to assess the potential relationship between supplementation with omega-3 PUFAs, measures of metabolic health, and cognitive functioning.

Björck and her colleagues assessed this in a balanced crossover trial in which 40 participants ages between 51 and 72 were given either three grams of omega-3 fatty acids per day or a placebo pill containing no omega-3.

The omega-3 supplement was given in five pills, each of which contained 600 mg omega-3 PUFA (EPA 300 mg, DHA 210 mg and 90 mg unspecified) while the placebo was provided as two tablets per day containing in total 366 mg dicalcium phosphate (E 341), 150 mg microcrystalline cellulose (E 460) and 4 mg magnesium salts of fatty acids (E 470b).

The omega-3 supplement and placebo were both were consumed for five weeks, separated by a five week washout period. Cognitive performance was determined by tests measuring working memory (WM) and selective attention, in addition to metabolic risk factors being measured.

Björck and her team reported that supplementation with the omega-3 pills resulted in better performance in working memory tests compared with placebo.

In addition the omega-3 was found to lower plasma triacylglycerides and systolic blood pressure.

The team revealed that systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, and serum TNF-alpha (a cytokine involved in systemic inflammation) concentrations, were inversely related to the performance in cognitive tests.

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Organic vegetable source of essential Omegas in proper proportion.

There is no better, more complete and balanced, globally available (potentially), source of organic vegetable nutrition than that provided by the hemp plant. Rich in Omega 3 and 6, in proper proportion for long-term consumption, Cannabis hemp seed is also the safest source of Omega 3, since the oceans have been polluted with mercury, and the solubility of mercury is changing with increasing UV-B radiation.

If you would care to understand more, please feel free to contact me for science on the critical nature of these nutritional and ecological relationships.

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